The Metropolitan Police Department announces the arrest of a suspect in a homicide that occurred in Northwest.
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at approximately 3:33 a.m., DC Fire and EMS responded to the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest, for the report of smoke in the hallway. Firefighters entered an apartment, extinguished a small fire, and located an adult male, unconscious and not breathing, suffering from blunt force trauma and thermal injuries. After finding no signs consistent with life, the victim was pronounced dead.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the decedent’s manner of death homicide and the cause of death to be blunt force trauma and strangulation. The investigation determined the fire was set after the decedent’s death.
The decedent has been identified as 40-year-old Syed Hammad Hussain, of Northwest, D.C.
On Monday, March 30, 2026, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested 36-year-old Rico Barnes, of Northwest, DC. Barnes has been charged with First Degree Murder while Armed-Felony Murder.
Homicide detectives have identified a second suspect in this offense. That suspect is currently being held on unrelated charges. Detectives do not believe there are any additional outstanding suspects.
CCN: 26018507
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